While it is common for documentary producers to negotiate access with subjects, it is understood the BBC Editorial Guidelines require that editorial control remain with the BBC. This is essential for maintaining journalistic integrity.

• How is this reconciled with the BPS senior leadership team reviewing all ‘Policing Paradise (tentative name) footage before it can be included in the series?
• How does impartiality sit against all proposed episodes being vetted by the BPS before release for broadcast?’ – see Royal Gazette report below.

11/2024

‘BBC One has commissioned Policing Paradise, made by Spun Gold TV (a 53 Degrees Global company), an exciting new series following the real-life team of detectives policing the tropical islands of Bermuda‘ (source – BBC One Media Centre). Alex McLeod, Commissioner, BBC Daytime is reported as commenting:

“Policing Paradise is like the real-life Death in Paradise.

The island certainly has an alarming number of murders, likely a record count in 2024!   It also has a staggering number of unsolved deaths (33 as @ 08/2024), to which can be added a further this month following a quashed conviction the result of a DNA issue that may have affected many other prosecutions. In 2022, it was reported ‘specialist’ BPS officers were overwhelmed by murder enquiries.

Narcotics are rife in the island, knife crime common and gangs active. ‘Death in Paradise’ is a crime comedy drama television series; there is not much to laugh about when it come to crime in Bermuda or the ‘policing’ of the islands.

The 15-episode series, tentatively titled Policing Paradise, will be shown on the BBC in Britain.  It is understood:

Ensuring the impartiality of the BBC is a key priority for the Trust; it is essential to its independence that the BBC retains the public’s trust as an impartial purveyor of news and programming.

The BBC is required to deliver duly impartial news by the Royal Charter and Agreement and to treat controversial subjects with due impartiality. The Trust is committed to making sure that the BBC fulfils this obligation. One of the ways the Trust does so, is by commissioning reviews of specific subject areas. You can access these reviews using the links below.

source – BBC Trust

Accuracy

The Media Centre release explains:

The islands of Bermuda are a British Overseas Territory, and their safety and security is ultimately the responsibility of the British government. The diverse 500-strong police force …

The Bermuda Police are a ‘service’, as opposed to a ‘force’.

Constabulary numbers are at all time low; 360!  Far form the ‘500 strong’ cited!  It appears the film crew were on the island 13/07/2024 when the Royal Gazette reported ‘Police staffing at lowest levels since 1979‘, advising Darrin Simons, the Commissioner of Police, said the islands had:

a total of 360 officers in the service, including 14 student officers undergoing training.
No record, as far back to 1979, shows staffing levels this low and certainly not with our current gang challenges

In 2021, it was reported that despite relatively low police numbers, more than 170 police officers investigated for misconduct in three years.  In July 2024, at a time the film crew were on the islands(?) 7 officers were on suspension.

Impartiality 

According to Bermuda’s Royal Gazette newspaper:

• The film crew (which arrived late June 2024) will mostly document “feel-good” stories.

A bias from the outset?

• They are also working with the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Method Media while on the island.

A ‘tourism’ involvement suggests a leaning toward encouraging visitors as opposed to an impartial review.

• The spokesman added: “This TV programme is designed to show Bermuda, the BPS and the RBR coastguard in a good light, while encouraging UK citizens to consider visiting the island.”

The filming purpose intention is clear – designed to present the BPS favourably, to advertise Bermuda, seek visitors.

• Martin Weekes, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, encouraged people to make the crew feel welcome during their stay, “as they are here to show Bermuda in a positive light”.

It was necessary to alert residents to the visit, prepare them?  In turn that they needed to be told how to react?

• The BPS senior leadership team will review all footage before it can be included in the series, and all proposed episodes will be vetted by the BPS before release for broadcast.

It appears the BPS require editorial control.